Campaigners staged an 11th hour protest against the closure of a community hospital today.

About 20 protestors were going to stage a peaceful sit in at Flint Hospital, but police got wind of it and stopped them.

They continued protesting outside claiming Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board had lied and betrayed them over the hospital’s closure.

Flint resident Jack Reece, who has led the fight to save the town hospital, said: “Protesters are here and they've come to take over the hospital, which closes tomorrow. The police have denied them access and they're currently in negotiations.

“We all want to see the hospital stay open.

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“Their communication has been lacking. What we have heard is lies and misinformation.

“So the last resort, before the building closes tomorrow, is to do a sit-in and they'll remain there until the situation is resolved.

“The message has gone out on Twitter, on Facebook, for people from the town to get down here. This town is very good at pulling together and everyone is welcome.

“The police have been very good, they're very understanding. They're allowing them to protest but not allowing them into the building.

“The protesters have not stopped any member of the public from going into the building.”

“The services they have offered have not worked so far, they've broken the promises they gave in consultation process, that Geoff Lang gave when he came to visit the town council, and they're now proposing to move the services offered at this hospital to a clinic that they said was unsafe, Borough Grove, which defies logic.”

“We implore Betsi and Geoff Lang, who's now the acting chief executive, who brought these plans and came up with this preposterous idea, to look at it again, listen to the Community Health Council, which is now petitioning the Health Minister to reverse the decision on Flint,” he said.

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spokesperson said: “We are fully aware of the strong feelings being expressed today regarding the relocation of the clinics from Flint Community Hospital to Borough Grove Clinic.

"The minister confirmed last month that the decisions made by the Health Board in January of this year were to be implemented and we are very keen to work closely with local people to take forward the plans to develop new services and facilities in Flint.

"The health board is working hard to make sure there is a smooth transition of all clinics with minimum disruption for patients. We have also reviewed highways and parking at the site which are fully adequate for the relocation of our services and will continue to monitor these over the coming months.

"We would like to reassure patients that Health Clinic is a safe place to deliver our services.”

"As of Monday 5th August, the phlebotomy, counselling and outpatient clinics previously provided from the Hospital will be provided from the Borough Grove clinic building. On Monday 2nd September, GP Minor Surgery services will also transfer from the Hospital to the clinic , following an upgrade of the current facilities.”